How to Play Freeze Dance 。Freeze Dance is a lively and fun-filled game enjoyed by kids, teens, and even adults. It’s a perfect indoor activity for parties, sleepovers, or any time you want to get everyone moving. When the music plays, you let loose, dance freely, and break out of your comfort zone. When the music suddenly stops, you freeze in place—no matter how funny the pose. It’s simple, energetic, and guaranteed to bring lots of laughter and excitement to any gathering.
Part1. Planning Out the Game
Step 1: Choose the Songs
Get song suggestions from the players so everyone can enjoy the game. Remind them to avoid slow songs—they’re harder to dance to. Use upbeat tracks like pop, hip-hop, or energetic nursery rhymes for younger children.
Make sure the music is age-appropriate: no explicit content for kids, and try not to use overly childish songs for teens.
Suggested playlists:
- Upbeat Pop Mix：https://open.spotify.com/playlist/example
- Kid-Friendly Dance Songs：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
Step 2: Prepare the Materials
Gather the media device you’ll use for the game—a computer, Bluetooth speaker, CD player, or smartphone.
If you only have a phone, simply search or download some lively music. You can even place the phone inside a plastic cup to amplify the sound.
Useful tools:
- Free Music Player App：https://play.google.com/store/apps/example
- Online Kids’ Dance Songs：https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=example
Step 3: Decide Who’s Playing
Ask everyone if they want to join. You can have as many players as you like, but keep in mind that very large groups may make the game chaotic or too long.
Step 4: Pick the Controller
Choose someone to be in charge of stopping and starting the music. If someone does not want to dance, this is a perfect role for them. If everyone wants to participate, take turns being the controller.
Step 5: Set Up the Game Space
Place your media device somewhere safe—like on a table—so it won’t get knocked over while players are dancing.
If the controller doesn’t want to stand the whole time, set a chair beside the device.
References / Sources
- Kids Dance Activity Guide – https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/example
- Freeze Dance for Classrooms – https://www.weareteachers.com/freeze-dance-example
- Music Safety and Age Guidelines – https://www.commonsensemedia.org/music-reviews
Part2 Playing Freeze Dance
Step 1: Remind Everyone About Safety
Before restarting the game, make sure all players understand basic safety rules. Ask them to spread out and avoid running, flipping, or doing dangerous moves. Safe play helps everyone enjoy the game without accidental injuries.
External Resource:
- Safe Kids Worldwide – Indoor Play Safety Tips: https://www.safekids.org
Step 2: Start the Music
Begin the round by playing an upbeat, fun song. While the music is on, players must move, dance, and express themselves freely. Encourage everyone to stay active and enjoy the rhythm.
External Resource:
- Kid-Friendly Dance Playlist Ideas: https://www.commonsensemedia.org
Step 3: Stop the Music
Suddenly pause the music. When the music stops, all players must freeze immediately. Avoid warning them before you hit pause—it keeps the challenge fun and unpredictable. You can trick players by stopping and starting the music quickly.
External Resource:
- Music-Based Party Games Guide: https://www.parents.com
Step 4: Eliminate Moving Players
Observe everyone closely while the music is paused. If a player moves—even slightly—they’re out of the round. Remove players who fall or behave too wildly, especially if their actions could hurt others. Fun is important, but safety comes first.
External Resource:
- Tips on Managing Group Games: https://www.playworks.org
Step 5: Keep the Game Going
Continue playing by repeating the cycle: music on, music off, freeze, eliminate. The game becomes more exciting as fewer players remain and the music stops more unpredictably. The last person still standing becomes the winner.
External Resource:
- Party Game Activity Ideas: https://www.wikihow.com
Step 6: Celebrate the Winner
Congratulate the final player with a small prize, a shoutout, or a fun reward. If the group wants another round, let the winner take charge of the music next time—this keeps everyone engaged and makes the game more interactive.
External Resource:
- Fun Reward Ideas for Kids: https://www.pbs.org/parents
References
- Safe Kids Worldwide
- Common Sense Media
- Parents.com
- Playworks.org
- WikiHow
- PBS Parents
Part3. Playing with Different Variations
Step 1: Encourage Players to Dance in Different Styles
Before restarting the music each round, challenge the players to move in a new and creative way. This keeps the game exciting and makes everyone think on their feet. Some fun style prompts include:
Dance Style Ideas
- Dance like a ballerina
- Hop like a frog
- Try a disco move
- Breakdance
- Hop like a bunny
- Dance like Michael Jackson or another famous performer
- Do the salsa
- Try a tango
- Pretend to ballroom dance
External Resource:
- Dance Move Inspiration: https://www.danceplug.com
Step 2: Freeze in Creative Poses
Freeze Position Ideas
- Pose like a statue
- Freeze like a fashion model
- Imitate an animal
- Stand like a superhero
- Create a geometric shape
- Freeze like a dancer
- Pretend to be a bug
- Form the shape of a letter
External Resource:
- Kids’ Movement Game Ideas: https://www.playworks.org
Step 3: Make Silly Faces While Dancing
Add humor to the game by requiring funny facial expressions each round. If a player forgets the face—or keeps it when the music stops—they’re out.
Funny Face Ideas
- Monkey face
- Wide-eyed stare
- Creepy smile
- Fish face
- Sad face
- Angry face
- Excited face
- Shocked face
External Resource:
- Fun Facial Expression Activities: https://www.pbs.org/parents
Step 4: Add Funny Sounds Each Round
The leader can require players to make specific noises while dancing. If they forget—or continue making noise after the music stops—they’re eliminated.
Sound Ideas
- Pig snorting
- Dog barking
- Slurping sounds
- Whistling
- Singing off-key
- Cow mooing
- Duck quacking
- Any noise they invent themselves
External Resource:
- Kids’ Sound & Movement Games: https://www.parents.com
Step 5: Sing or Hum During Each Round
Challenge players to sing or hum the current song while dancing. Anyone who forgets—or keeps singing after the music stops—is out of the game.
External Resource:
- Music Games for Kids: https://www.musictheory.net
Step 6: Play Different Music Each Round
Keep the game fresh by changing the music each time. Match the music to the theme—for example, if players must dance like ballerinas, you might use The Nutcracker or Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
External Resource:
- Royalty-Free Music for Kids’ Games: https://www.freepd.com
Step 7: Add Lighthearted “Punishments” for Players Who Lose
When someone gets eliminated, give them a fun, harmless challenge. Make sure all punishments are safe, optional, and comfortable for all players.
Fun Challenge Ideas
- Eating something gross-but-safe
- Doing a silly dance
- Wearing something goofy
- Adding layers of clothing
- Allowing someone to tickle them (only if everyone is comfortable)
- Eating something sour or mildly spicy
- Having water or juice poured on their head
External Resource:
- Safe Party Game Ideas for Kids: https://www.safekids.org
Step 8: Enjoy the Game!
Freeze Dance becomes even more exciting with variations. With laughter, creativity, and lots of movement, everyone will want to keep playing round after round.
References
- DancePlug
- Playworks
- PBS Parents
- Parents.com
- MusicTheory.net
- FreePD
- Safe Kids Worldwide
